Directed by Larisa Shepitko
3 Episodes
Though her name is now unjustly obscure, Larisa Shepitko was one of the boldest, most renowned filmmakers of the Soviet era. In her tragically short career, the Ukrainian-born auteur left behind only a handful of films—including the psychologically charged feminist character study WINGS and the shattering, spiritually transcendent World War II masterpiece THE ASCENT—but they rank among the greatest and most powerful works of Soviet cinema. These blazingly personal visions deserve to be rediscovered for their stunning visuals, masterful evocation of interior states, and profound humanism.
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11:23Episode 1
Introducing Larisa Shepitko
Episode 1
Scholar Barbora Bartunkova discusses Larisa Shepitko’s singular vision and fearless, exploratory approach to filmmaking.
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Wings
Episode 2
Directed by Larisa Shepitko • 1966 • Soviet Union
For her first feature after graduating from the All-Russian State Institute for Cinematography (VGIK), Larisa Shepitko trained her lens on the fascinating Russian character actress Maya Bulgakova, who gives a marvelous performance as a once heroi...
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1:49:41Episode 3
The Ascent
Episode 3
Directed by Larisa Shepitko • 1977 • Soviet Union
Starring Boris Plotnikov, Vladimir Gostyukhin, Sergei YakovlevThe crowning triumph of a career cut tragically short, the final film from Larisa Shepitko won the Golden Bear at the 1977 Berlin Film Festival and went on to be hailed as one of the ...